The man began shouting at police before running towards an officer, who was seen putting his leg up and reaching for his baton as two other officers ran to his aid.
The isolated incident sparked a heated response from a small group of the protesters, who began throwing bottles at the three police.
Senior leaders in the African community stepped in and calmed the situation within minutes as extra police flooded the area.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman estimated about 250 people attended the protest, and said the vast majority were respectful and peaceful.
The protest in Footscray.Credit: Jason South
“However, police were then confronted with a small volatile crowd of around 30 people, with bottles being thrown at police,” the spokeswoman said.
“Police have used defence tactics to maintain separation and prevent an escalation. Shortly after, the area was cleared and people dispersed.”
Nobody was injured during the incident, and no arrests were made, the spokeswoman said.
Hundreds of people had rallied peacefully for hours in an emotional protest in the heart of Footscray on Tuesday afternoon.Credit: Jason South
Police would review footage of the event to see whether any offences were committed, she said.
Ahmed’s death has stirred outrage and grief among members of the local community, who questioned why police did not try to calm the situation and deploy non-lethal force before drawing their guns.
African community leader Dr Berhan Ahmed, told the crowd, Footscray needed more outreach services instead of guns being shot at people in the grips of a mental health crisis.
“We don’t need to blame victims, we need to support victims,” he said.
“Shame on [police] using guns instead of care.”
His words were met with cries of “shame” from the crowd.
“If our weakest person is to be shot, then we are as a society are failing,” he said.
The crowd chanted “compassion not bullets” as they marched in the Footscray CBD.Credit: Jason South
Fartun Farah, a community leader from the East African Women’s Association, called for a full and transparent investigation into Ahmed’s death and said the incident had left her shocked and heartbroken.
“The people we expect to come, to help, to keep us safe are the ones who shot somebody from our own community,” Farah said. “Our community is mourning. This young man needed mental health support, not to be killed. It could be anyone’s son or daughter.”
Footscray has long been grappling with a surge in crime, overt drug use, and anti-social behaviour, but long-term residents and business owners say the situation has deteriorated significantly in the past 18 months.
Ahmed had previously lived interstate and has family living in Australia who are heartbroken by his death, this masthead has been told. He has been remembered as kind and well-known among Footscray locals.
Police have said two officers were called to Albert Street about 9pm last Thursday following reports Ahmed was brandishing a knife near shops on the corner of Paisley Street.
The pair told Ahmed to drop the weapon but fired their guns after he lunged at them with the knife, Victoria Police said.
Abdifatah Ahmed died in the shooting after police said he lunged at them with a knife.Credit: Jason South
It confirmed on Tuesday that the officers had not had Tasers at the time, and rejected claims Ahmed’s death was racially motivated.
“We understand the community is concerned about this incident – this is something no police officer wants to be involved in when they come to work,” the statement said.
“Unfortunately, police were confronted with an extremely volatile and high-risk situation and made a tactical decision to use their firearms in a small matter of moments.
“This was an incident that could [have] impacted the safety of a large number of people who were in the area on the night.
“The investigation by the homicide squad with oversight from Professional Standards Command is ongoing, and this will also ultimately be a matter independently reviewed for the Coroner.”
The state government announced it would arm all frontline police with Tasers in 2021 as part of a $214 million, four-year program to boost the police’s tactical options and capabilities.
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The police statement said about 60 per cent of frontline police have Tasers, with the rollout on track to be completed by September next year.
“The rollout is moving as fast as it possibly can, while ensuring every member who receives a Taser undergoes comprehensive physical and theoretical training and police stations are fitted out to safely store the devices,” police said.
The two officers involved in Ahmed’s death are on leave in line with standard protocol.
President of Somali Community Inc Farah Warsame said he would continue to demanded justice for Ahmed.
“We have to speak for someone who can no longer speak for himself,” he said.
“He was one of us.”
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